Mikel Obi has reached out to former Chelsea assistant Manager, Ray Wilkins as the 61-year-old battles for life after he suffered a cardiac arrest on Friday.

Mikel and Wilkins were acquaintances in 2008; two years after the Nigeria International joined Chelsea and eight years after the latter returned for a second spell as assistant manager.

They went on to become “good friends” as Wilkins served as assistant manager and caretaker manager until 2010.

In his message on social media on Saturday, the 30-year-old tweeted: Saddened to hear the news about my good friend Ray Wilkins. All my thoughts and prayers are with you for a full recovery 💙

Saddened to hear the news about my good friend Ray Wilkins. All my thoughts and prayers are with you for a full recovery 💙 pic.twitter.com/qKwObPZOpZ

— Mikel John Obi (@mikel_john_obi) March 31, 2018

The two went on to win a league double – Premier League and FA Cup – in the 2009-10 season.

Wilkins, a former Chelsea and England midfielder, suffered a heart attack at home, leading to him being placed in induced coma.